Microplastics in bottled water raise teacher and student concerns

The World Health Organization is now reviewing the safety of bottled water after Orb Media, a nonprofit journalism organization, launched a study that found that 93 percent of popular bottled water brands contain microplastics in the water. Nestle Pure Life and Dasani, popular brands on San Gabriel’s campus, are a part of the study.

“I’m disgusted by that, thus I use [a reusable] water bottle,” junior Joyce Wu said. “It’s wasteful to use plastic. From my experience, my mom has plastic bottles and after awhile you can taste the plastic.”

The health implications are not yet known, but some students and teachers on campus are taking this as a warning for many bottled water users.

“Our own society got addicted to the ultra convenience of a disposable water bottle. San Gabriel is no different,” environmental club adviser Henry Osborne said.

Over the years, the environmental club has been recycling the school’s bottles.

“It is just making the best out of a bad situation,” Osborne said. “Ideally, we have less to recycle.”

Environmental science teacher David Whitman encourages students to drink filtered tap instead as a healthier option.

“This [study] is another reason to stop the ‘bottled water’ habit,” Whitman said. “It is time to reconsider this marketing that bottled water is better.”